Ski binding



March 10, 1942. R. E. LEITH 2,275,913

SKI BINDING Filed April 9, 1940 Patented Mar. 10, 194-2 um'reo STATES PATENT oF ice SKI BINDING Robert E.. Leith, Seattle, Wash.

Application April9, 1940, Serial'No. 328,603

14 Claims.

This invention relates generally to ski bindings and more particularly to means for permitting the ready release, the relative adjustment and the relocking of the toe engaging plates.

The known types of ski bindings usually provide for the adjustment of the toe engaging holding members or toe plates by means of round or elongated openings formed in the horizontally extending portions of the toe'plates and coacting cams releasably mounted foreccentric rotation within the said round or elongated opening by means of screws. Another known form of adjustable ski binding comprises a pair of toe plates each having locking projections, a pair of transverse slots, a locking plate having a pair of the screws or of stripping the threads which I" in turn would prevent a further use of the binding until the necessary repairs could be made. Moreover, the retaining screws may become loosened and lost and in addition require the use of a screw driver in order to make a desired adjustment of the toe plates.

It is, therefore, an object of this invention to provide an improved ski binding.

Another object of this invention is to provide an improved ski binding which will eliminate the aforementioned defects.

Still another object of this invention is to provide an improved adjustable ski binding in which a pair of relatively movable locking members, the coacting locking portions of a pair of toe engaging holding members, and a movable control means operative to efiect relative movements of the said locking and holding members are enclosed to provide an inseparable unitary structure.

Still another object of this invention is to pro-, vide an improvedadjustable ski binding in which a pair of relatively movable toe engaging holding members, a pair of relatively movable locking members, and a movable control mean are so correlated that a predetermined movement of said control means efiects a relative movement of said locking and holding members sufiicient to forcibly engage said locking and holding members, that the forcible engagement of the locking and holding members prevents an accident releasing movement of said control means and that a releasing movement of said control means permits a relative movement of said holding members suflicient to effect a desired adjustment.

A further object of this invention is to provide an improved adjustable ski binding in which the release, the adjustment, and the locking of the toe engaging holding members can be readily accomplished without either loosening or removing the' means securing the ski binding to the ski.

The invention accordingly consists of the various features of construction, combinations of elements and arrangement of parts as more fully pointed out in the appended claims, and in the detailed description, in which- I Fig. l is a plan view of a ski binding embodying the invention;

Fig. 2 is a side elevation of the ski binding shown-in Fig. 1 with a part broken away to better show the construction;

Fig. 3 is a top plan View of the binding per so with the-cover plate removed;

Fig. 4'is a top plan view of the bottom plat with the stationary locking member secured thereto;

Fig; 5 is a bottom plan view of the looking cam;

Fig. 6 is a top plan view of a modified binding with the cover plate removed; and

Fig. '7 is a top'pl'an View of the coverplate for the bindingshown in Fig. 6.

Referring to the drawing it is seen that the ski binding comprises a bottom plate or member I',

a pair of toe engaging plates or holding mem bers 2; two locking members 3 and 4', a locking cam or control member 6; and a cover plate or member ,1.

The bottom'plate l, which is preferably stamped from a piece of sheet metal, is-provided with two pairs of laterally spaced holes 8 and 9 disposed adjacent each end, with three pairs of laterally spaced holes H, l2 and 53 disposed interr'nediate its ends, with a pair of laterally spaced upstanding projections 14 disposed near its forward end, with a series of protuberances l5 disposed approximately midway between its ends and arranged to'form an arc, and with a single upstanding projection l6 disposed approximately midway between the sides and near its rear end.

The toe engaging plates or holding members 2 each comprises an irregular horizontal base portion I! adapted to rest on the bottom plate or portion 43.

member I, and an upstanding flange or shoe engaging portion |8 adapted to engage the edge of a ski shoe or boot not shown. The horizontal portion ll of each holding member includes a front laterally extending portion l9 presenting a rearward facing serrated locking surface 2|, a rear laterally extending portion 22 presenting a forward facing serrated locking surface 23 opposed and spaced from the locking surface 2| on the front portion l9, and an intermediate pair of longitudinally spaced laterally extending portions 24. The front portion I9 is provided with a laterally elongated aperture 26 of greater width than the upstanding projections l4 on the base plate I.

The locking member 3 is bifurcated to provide rearward and parallelly extending guiding projections 21, an intermediate cam engaging surface 28, and an oppositely disposed serrated locking edge 29 adapted to engage the serrated locking surfaces or edges 2| on the toe plates 2. The member 3 is also provided with two pairs of laterally spaced holes II' and I3 arranged for alignment with the corresponding pairs of holes II and I3 in the base plate I. The locking member 4 is provided with a serrated edge 3| adapted to engage the serrated edges 23 on the toe plates 2 and a forwardly extending portion 32 adapted to be disposed between and in sliding engagement with the projections 21 on the member 3. The portion 32 which is provided with an elongated longitudinally extending aperture 33 is also provided at its free end with a cam engaging surface 34 and a plane cam movement limiting surface 36.

The locking cam or control member 6, which is generally circular and which is adapted to be disposed in the space between the guiding projections 21 of the locking member 3 and the forwardly extending portion 32 on the locking member 4, has an elongated aperture 31 therein, a cut away portion providing a plane surface 38 adapted to engage the surface 36 on the locking member 4, and in its bottom surface a'series of generally circular depressions 39 arranged to form an approximate arc for coaction with the protuberances IS on the base plate I to'prevent an accidental turning movement of the cam when in its locking position.

The top or cover plate I, which is also preferably stamped from a piece of sheet metal, has approximately parallelly extending front and rear end portions 4| and 42 respectively and an intermediate and also parallelly extending raised The end portions 4| and 42 are each provided with twopairs of holes 8' and 9' arranged for alignment with the pairs of holes 8 and 9 in the base member or plate I. The raised portion 43 is provided with laterally spaced and generally circular depressed portions 44 arranged to depend between the intermediate longitudinally'spaced portions 24 onthe coacting toe plates 2. Each depressed portion 44 is apertured at 46 and the arrangement is such that when the top plate I is correctly positioned on the bottom plate I, the apertures 46 are aligned with the holes l2 in the bottom plate I and the depressed portions 44 extend slightly within the apertures |2 as shown in Fig. 2. The raised portion 43 is also provided with a circular aperture 41 which is arranged to be disposed above the slot 31 in the locking cam 6 and with an elongated aperture 48 which is arranged for alignment with the elongated opening 33 in the locking member 4.

The ski binding is assembled by placing the locking member 3 on the base plate I with the pairs of holes II and I3 aligned with the pairs of holes I I and [3 in the base plate I. The member 3 is then permanently secured to the base plate I by means of rivets disposed in the aligned pairs of holes H, II and I3, I3 respectively. The locking member 4 is then placed on the base plate with the portion 32 disposed between the projections 21 on the member 3 and the locking cam 6 is disposed in the space between the projections 21 and the portion 32 with the surface 38 in engagement with the surface 36 on the portion 32 of the locking member 4 as best shown in Fig. 1. The pair of toe plates or holding members 2 are then disposed on the base plate I, with the front, rear and intermediate portions of one member disposed in substantial alignment with the like portions of the other member, with the projections l4 extending within the apertures 26, with the free ends of the portions 24 disposed adjacent the projections 21 on the locking member 3, and with the serrated edges 2| and 23 extending adjacent and in opposed relation to the serrated locking edges 29 and 3| on the looking members 3 and 4 respectively. The cover plate I is then placed on the bottom plate so that the end portions 4| and 42 engage the corresponding end portions of the bottom plate I, so that the pairs of holes 8' and 9 are aligned with the pairs of holes 8 and 9 respectively in each end of the bottom plate, and so that the raised portion 43 completely covers the locking members 3 and 4, the horizontal portions I! of the toe plates 2 and the cam 6. The cover plate is then permanently secured to the bottom plate 4 by means of rivets disposed in the aligned pairs of holes 8 and 8 to provide an'inseparable unitary binding from which the toe plates, the locking members and the control cam can only be removed by removing the said rivets.

The ski binding is permanently mounted on a ski by means of the four screws 49 which pass through the aligned holes 9, 9' and the two screws 5| which pass through the aligned holes 46, I2 as shown in Figs. 1, 2. These screws need never be either loosened or removed in order to effect a desired adjustment of the toe plates 2, and consequently there is but little possibility of these screws becoming loose or lost. With the locking members disposed as shown in Fig. 1, the angularity and the spacing of the toe plates 2 may be adjusted simply by graspingv the plates with the hands and moving them to the desired position. When the desired adjustment has been effected, the plates can be instantly and securely locked in their adjusted positions as shown in Fig. 3 merely by inserting a relatively blunt instrument through the circular aperture 41 in the cover plate and into the aperture 31 in the looking cam 6 and turning the cam clockwise through an angle of approximately ninety degrees.

This movement of the cam 6 causes the circular edge portion of the cam to engage the coacting surfaces 28 and 34 on the locking members 3 and 4 respectively and since the member 3 is secured to the base member the locking member 4 is moved rearward which engages the serrated locking surface 3| on the member 4 with the opposed and substantially aligned serrated locking surfaces 23 on the rear portions 22 of .the toe plates 2 which in turn effects a rearward movement of the toe plates sufficient to forcibly engage the substantially aligned serrated locking surfaces 2| on the front portions [9 of the holding'members with-the opposed ser rated locking surface 29 on-the stationary looking member 3. With the cam in thelocking'p'osition just described; the protuberances on the base member I extend within the depressions 39 as anaid in preventing an accidental releasing movement of the said cam. However, since'the surfaces 28 and 34 on the locking members 3 and 4 respectively'engage approximately diametrically opposite portions of the cam 6, there is no appreciable moment tending to produce a releasing movement of the said cam and the forcible engagement of the coacting locking surfaces on the locking members and toe plates will alone prevent an accidental releasing movement of the locking cam. Consequently, although the use of coacting'protuberances and depressions is preferred, their use is not essential. I

When it is desired to readjust the toe plates all that has to be done is to turn the eam 6 in a counter-clockwise direction until the surface 38 of the cam engages the surface 36 on-the portion 32 of the locking member 4 as indicated in Fig. l, which limits the movement of the cam in this direction. The same instrument which was used to turn the cam as previously described can then be inserted through the elongated aperture 48 in the cover plate, and into-the aperture 33 in the locking member 4 and the locking member moved forward thereby disengaging the serrated edge 3| from the coacting edges 23" on the toe plates 2. The toe plates may then be grasped with the hands and moved forward slightly to disengage the serrated edges I9 on the toe plates from the coacting edge 29 on the stationary locking member 3. The toe plates may now be simultaneously adjusted with the hands and then locked in the desired position simply by turning the cam 3 in the clockwise direction as previously described.

The locking members, the coacting portions of the toe plates and the cam locking and releasing member are totally enclosed and cannot be removed from between the cover and bottom plates except by removing the rivets securing the said plates together which prevents the loss of any of the coacting parts. In this connection, it should be noted that the extension of projections hi on the bottom plate into the apertures 23 in the toe plates 2 prevents thetoe plates from being withdrawn from between the cover-and bottom plates. There are no-parts which can become loose and lost because of frequent adjustment, and no special tools are required to actuate the locking and releasing cam. Any.

blunt instrument, even a piece of wood, which will enter the aperture 37 in the cam 6 will suffice. A ski binding constructed to embody the cam locking and releasing mechanism herein disclosed provides a durable construction which is cheap to manufacture and can be readily adjusted with a minimum of effort.

Referring to Figs. 6 and 7 in which like numerals are used to designate the same or similar parts it is seen that this construction differs from that shown in Figs. 1-5 inclusive in that the base plate i has only ten holes, namely two laterally spaced holes 53 and an intermediate hole 54 disposed adjacent each end and four intermediate holes 55, i. e., one in each of the raised portions 56; in that there are no upstanding projections 14 and 16; in that the horizontal portion ll of each toe plate 2 has arcuate shaped front and rear edges presenting oppositely facing serrated or toothedlocking surfaces 56 and 51 respectively, and a pair. of longitudinally spaced and transversely extending elongated openings 58 and 59 arranged for disposition above the holes in the base plate I; in that the stationarylocking'member 3' is generally rectangular when viewed in plan and is provided with two laterally spaced holes 53' and an intermediate hole 54 arranged for alignment with the corresponding holes53 and-54 in the front end of the base plate |','anda rearward facing serrated lockinge'dge or surface 6| adapted to be engaged by the arcu'ate locking surfaces 56 on the front end'of the toe plates '2'; in that the movable locking member 4' is provided with a forward facing serrated locking edge or surface 62 adapted to engage the 'arcuate locking surfaces 5] on the rear end of the toe plates 2',"with laterally spaced rearward extending portions 63 and withan intermediate cam engaging surface 65; that the movable-locking member t' is positioned on the base plate'l' with its spaced rearward extending portions 63 disposed between and in slidin'g' engagement with the inner edges of the laterally spaced and forwardly extending portions 64 of a stationary guide and movement limiting member 66 which is provided with an intermediate cam engaging surface 61, a cam movement limiting surface 68, and with two laterally spaced holes 53" and an intermediate hole 54" arranged for alignment with the corresponding holes 53 and 54 in the rear end of the base plate I; and in that the cover plate 'lis provided with holes 53" and 54" arranged for alignment with the corresponding holes 53 and 54 inthe base plate I, in the stationary locking member 3 and in the stationary guide member 66, with depressed circular portions 69 similar to the portions 44 shown in Fig. 2 each of which is provided with a hole 55" arranged for alignment with the holes 55 in the raised portions 50 of the base plate I, and with the hole H of less dia'm eter than the cam 6 which is arranged for alignment with the cam 6 when the latter is disposed for engagement with the opposed surfaces 65 and 6'! on the lockingmember 4 and guide member 66 respectively.

This modified ski binding is assembled as an inseparable unitary structure by placing the stationary and movable locking members 3 and 4' respectively, the toe plates 2' the cam 6, and the guide member 66 on the base plate! in approximately the relative position shown in Fig. 6 by placing the cover member over the thus assembled group with the holes 53 and 54" aligned with the corresponding holes 53, 53' and 54, 54' in the base plate I and in the locking and the guide members 3 and 66 respectively and with the holes 55 aligned with the corresponding holes 55 in the base plate I and by inserting rivets through the aligned holes 53, 53' and 53' and heading same to prevent an accidental removal thereof. 1

The structure is then ready to be secured to a sKi which is accomplished by inserting suitable screws through the aligned holes 54,54 and 54" andthrough the alignedholes 55 and 55'. Withdrawal of the toe plates2' from between the base plate l and the cover plate 1 when the. cam 6 is in released position is preventedby the coacting raised and depressed portions 50 and 69 on thebottom and cover plates I and 1- respectively which extend within the elongated openings 59 in the toe plates 2'. .The width of the elongated openings 55 is made sufliciently greater than the diameter of the coacting portions 50 and 69 to permit the desired degree of angular adjustment.

The toe plates are shown in their locked position in Fig. 6 and all that is necessary in order .to effect a desired adjustment is to insert the end of a blunt instrument through the opening II in the cover plate,zinto the elongated opening 31 in the cam 6, turn the cam 6 clockwise until the surface 38 engages'the movement limiting surface 68 on the stationary? member 66, grasp the toe plates with thehands and move them rearward and then slightly forward to disengage the serrated surfaces onthe toe plates from the serrated locking surfaces on the stationary and movable locking members 3 and 4 respectively, and then laterally until the desired spacing and angularity is obtained. When the desired adjustment has been thus effected, the toe plates are locked in adjusted position simply by turning the cam 6 inthe clockwise direction to the position shown. The initial movement in this direction causes the cam to engage the opposed surfaces 65 and 61 and move the locking member 4' forward until the serrated locking surface 62 engages the serrated surfaces on the toe plates and the remaining movement in this direction simultaneously moves the locking member 4' and the toe plates 2 forward until the serrated surfaces 56 on the toe plates forcibly engage the serrated locking surface on the stationary locking member 3'. g

The forcible engagement of the locking members and toe plates prevents an accidental releasing movement of the locking cam for the reasons particularly set forth in the description of the binding shown in Figs. 1-5 inclusive. However, it should be understood that the coacting portions of the cam and base plate may, if desired, be provided with the coacting depressions and protuberances shown in Figs. 4 and 5 for the purpose previously described. This construction affords all of the advantages provided by the construction shown in Figs. 1 to 5 inclusive, and in addition permits the use of lighter materials and a more accurate tooth arrangement since the teeth can be readily and cheaply milled.

The locking and releasing mechanism herein disclosed is applicable to retaining devices embodying a pair of coacting toe engaging holding or gripping members regardless of their particular application and although the invention has been disclosed as applied to ski bindings, by way of illustration, it should be understood that it is slidably engaging said base plate and presenting spaced locking surfaces, a pair of relatively movable locking members disposed on said base plate and presenting spaced locking surfaces extending adjacent and in opposed relation with respect to the locking surfaces on the holding members,

and one of said pair of relatively movable locking members being fixed on said base plate, means for effecting a relative movement of said locking members sufficient to forcibly engage the opposed locking surfaces on the locking and holding members and for rendering the forcible engagement of said locking surfaces operative to prevent an accidental releasing movement ,of the means effecting said relative movement comprising a fixed cam'engaging surface disposed in opposed relation. with respect to an edge portion of the movable one of said pair of locking members so as to define therewith an enclosure adapted to receive an angularly movable cam, and a cam disposed on said base plate within said enclosure and having an upward facing slot adapted to receive an instrument for effecting an angular movement of said cam relative to said fixed cam engaging surface and relative to said edge por tion.

2. In a ski binding including a base plate adapted to be secured to aski, a pair of coacting and relatively movable toe engaging holding members each including a laterally extending portion slidable engaging said base plate and presenting spaced locking surfaces, a pair of relativelymovable locking members disposed on said base plate and presenting spaced locking surfaces extending adjacent and in opposed relation with respect to the'locking surfaces on the holding members, and one of said pair of relatively movable locking members being fixed on said base plate, means for effecting a relative movement of said locking members sufficient to forcibly engage the opposed locking surfaces on the looking and. holding members and for rendering the forcible engagement of said locking surfaces operative to prevent an accidental releasing movement of the means effecting said relative movement comprising a fixed cam engaging surface disposed in opposed relation with respect to an edge portion of the movable oneof said pair of locking members so as to define therewith an enclosure adapted to receive a generally circular cam, and a generally circular cam disposed on said base plate within said enclosure and having an upward facing slot adapted to receive an instrument for effecting an angular movement of said cam relative to said cam engaging surface and relative to said edge portion.

3. In a ski binding including a base plate adapted to be secured to a ski, a pair of coacting and relatively movable toe engaging holding members each including a laterally extending portion slidable engaging said base plate and presenting spaced locking surfaces, a pair of relatively movable locking members disposed on said base plate and presenting spaced locking surfaces extending adjacent and in opposed relation with respect to the locking surfaces on the holding members, and one of said pair of relatively movable locking members being fixed on said base plate, means for effecting a relative movement of said locking members suflicient to forcibly engage the opposed locking surfaces on the locking and holding members and for rendering the forcible engagement of said locking surfaces operative to prevent an accidental releasing movement of the means effecting said relative movement comprising a curved edge portion on the movable one of said pair of locking members, a fixed curved cam engaging surface disposed in opposed relation with respect to'the curved edge portion on said movable locking member so as to define therewith an enclosure adapted to receive a generally circular fiat cam, and a generally circular fiat cam disposed on said base plate within said enclosure and having an upward facing slot adapted to receive an instrument for effecting an angular movement of said cam relative to said curved cam engaging surface and relative to said curved edge portion.

4. In a ski binding including a base plate adapted to be secured to a ski, a pair of coacting and relatively movable toe engaging holding members each including a laterally extending portion slidably engaging said base plate and presenting spaced locking surfaces, a pair of relatively movable locking members disposed on said base plate and presenting spaced locking surfaces extending adjacent and.- in opposed relation with respect to the locking surfaces on the holding members, and one of said pair of relatively movable locking members being fixed on said base plate, means for effecting a relative movement of said locking members sufiicient to forcibly engage the opposed locking surfaces on the locking and holding members and for rendering the forcible engagement of said locking surfaces operative to prevent an accidental releasing movement of the means effecting said relative movement comprising a fixed surface including spaced guide portions slidably receiving therebetween a part of the movable one of said pair of locking members and including an intermediate cam engaging portion disposed in opposed relation with respect to an edge of said part so as to define therewith an enclosure adapted to receive an angularly movable cam, and a cam disposed on said base plate within said enclosure and having an upward facing slot adapted to receive an instrument for effecting an angular movement of said cam relative to said fixed surface and relative to said part of the said movable locking member.

,5. In a ski binding including a base plate adapted to be secured to a ski, a pair of coacting and relatively movable toe engaging holding members each including a laterally extending portion slidably engaging said base plate and presenting spaced locking surfaces, a pair of relatively movable locking members disposed on said base plate and presenting spaced locking surfaces extending adjacent and in opposed relation with respect to the locking surfaces on the holding members, and one ofsaid pair of relatively movable locking members being fixed on said base plate, means for effecting a relative movement of said locking members sufficient to forcibly engage the opposed locking surfaces on the locking and holding members and for rendering the forcible engagement of said locking surfaces operative to prevent an accidental releasing movement of the means effectingsaid relative movement comprising a -member fixed on said base plate and presenting a cam engaging surface disposed in opposed relation with respect to an edge portion of the movable one of said pair of locking members so as to define therewith an enclosure adapted to receive an angularly movable cam, and a cam disposed on said base plate within said enclosure and having an upward facing slot adapted to receive an instrument for effecting an angular movement of said cam relative to said fixed member and relative said edge portion.

6. In a ski binding including a base plate adapted to be secured to a ski, a pair of coacting and relatively movable toe engaging holding members each including a laterally extending portion slidably engaging said base plate and presenting spaced locking surfaces, a pair of relatively'movable locking members disposed on said base plate and presenting spaced locking surfaces extending adjacent and in opposed relation with respect to the locking surfaces on the holding members, and one of said pair of relatively movable locking members being fixed on said base plate, means for effecting a relative movement of said locking members sufiicient to forcibly engage the opposed locking surfaces on the locking and holding members and for rendering the forcible engagement of said locking sure faces perative to prevent an accidental releasing movement of the means effecting said relative movement comprising a member fixed on said base plate and presenting spaced guide surfaces slidably receiving therebetween a part of the movable one of said pair of locking members and presenting an intermediate cam engaging surface disposed in opposed relation with respect to an edge portion of said part so as to define therewith an enclosure adapted to receive an angularly movable cam, anda cam disposed on said base plate and within said enclosure and having an upward facing slot adapted to receive an instrument for effecting an angular movement of said cam relative to said fixed member and relative to the said movable one of said pair of locking members.

7. An inseparable ski binding comprising a base plate, a pair of coacting and relatively movable toe engaging holding members each including a laterally extending portion slidably engaging said base plate and presenting spaced locking surfaces, a pair of relatively movable locking members presenting spaced locking surfacesextending adjacent and in opposed relation with respect to the locking surfaces on the holding members, a cam engaging surface fixed on said base plate in opposed relation with respect to an edge portion .of one of said locking members so as to define therewith an enclosure adapted to receive an angularly movable cam, a cam resting freely on said base plate within said enclosure and having an upward facing slot adapted to receive an-instrument for efiEecting an angular movement of said cam relative to said cam engaging surface and relative to said edge portion, a cover plate adapted to coact with said base plate to enclose and maintain the laterally extending portions of said holding members, said locking members, said cam engaging surface, and said cam in their proper operative relationship, and said cover plate being permanently secured to said base plate and having an opening therein overlying said cam which is smaller than said cam but sufiiciently large to permit an instrument to be inserted into said slot and turned to effect an angular movement of said cam.

I 8. An inseparable ski binding comprising a base plate, a pair of coacting and relatively movable toe engaging holding members each including a laterally extending portion slidably engaging said base plate and presenting spaced locking surfaces, a pair of relatively movable locking members presenting spaced locking surfaces extending adjacent and in opposed relation with respect to the locking surfaces on the holding members, a curved edge portion on one of said locking members, a curved cam engaging surface fixed on said base plate in opposed relation with respect to the curved edge portion on said one movable locking member so as to define therewith an enclosure adapted to receive a generally circular cam, a generally circular cam resting freely on said base plate within said enclosure and having an upward facing slot adapted to receive an instrument for effecting an angular movement of said cam relative to said curved cam engaging surface and relative to said curved edge portion, a cover plate adapted to coact with said base plate to enclose and maintain the laterally extending portions of said holding members, said locking members, said curved cam engaging surface, and said cam in their proper operative relationship, and said cover plate being permanently secured to said base plate and having an opening therein overlying said cam which is smaller than said cam but sufficiently large to permit an instrument to be inserted into said slot and turned to effect an angular movement of said cam.

9. An inseparable ski binding comprising a base plate, a pair of coacting and relatively movable toe engaging holding members each including a laterally extending portion slidably engaging said base plate and presenting spaced locking surfaces, a pair of relatively movable locking members presenting spaced locking surfaces extending adjacent and in opposed relation with respect to the locking surfaces on the holding members, a member fixedly secured on said base plate and presenting a cam engaging surface disposed in opposed relation with respect to an edge portion of one of said locking members so as to define therewith an enclosure adapted to receive an angularly movable cam, a cam resting freely on said base plate within said enclosure and having an upward facing slot adapted to receive an instrument for effecting an angular movement of said cam relative to said cam engaging surface and relative to said edge portion, a cover plate adapted to coact with said base plate to inclose and maintain the laterally extending portions of said holding members, said locking members, said member fixed on said base, and said cam in their proper operative relationship, and said cover plate being permanently secured to said base plate and having an opening therein overlying said cam which. is smaller than said cam but sufficiently large to permit an instrument to be inserted into said slot and turned to effect an angular movement of said cam.

10. An inseparable ski binding comprising a base plate, a pair of coacting and relativelymovable toe engaging holding members each including a laterally extending portion slidably engaging said base plate and presenting spaced locking surfaces, a pair of relatively movable locking members presenting spaced locking surfaces extending adjacent and in opposed relation with respect to the locking surfaces on the holding members, a member fixed on said base plate and presenting spaced guide surfaces slidably receiving therebetween apart of one of said locking members and presenting an intermediate cam engaging surface disposed in opposed relation with respect to an edge portion of said part so as to define therewith an enclosure adapted to receive an angularly movable cam, a cam resting freely on said base plate within said enclosure and having an upward facing slot adapted to receive an instrument for effecting an angular movement of said cam relative to said fixed member and relative to the said one of the locking members, a cover plate adapted to coact with said base plate to enclose and maintain the laterally extending portions of said holding members, said locking members, said fixed member, and said cam in their proper operative relationship, and said cover plate being permanently secured to said cover plate and having an opening therein overlying saidcam which is smaller than said cam but suificiently large to permit an instrument to be inserted into said slot and turnedto effect an angular movement of said cam.

11. A ski binding comprising a'base member, a pair of coacting toe engaging holding members disposed on said base member and arranged for relative movement with respect to one another and with respect to said base member and each including spaced portions presenting opposed locking surfaces disposed in substantial alignment with-respect to the like surfaces of the other holding member, a pair of coacting locking members disposed on said base member between the spaced portions of the holding members with one of said locking members arranged for relative movement with respect to the said base member and with respect to the other locking member, said locking members being constructed and arranged to present spaced and oppositely facing locking surfaces extending adjacent and in opposed relation with respect to the opposed locking surfaces on the holding members and cam engaging surfaces spaced apart in opposed relation intermediate the said locking surfaces, a movable cam means disposed on said base member between and in coacting relation with respect to the said spaced cam surfaces so that a predetermined movement of said cam means effects a relative movement of said one locking member sufficient to forcibly engage the opposed locking surfaces on the looking and holding members, that the said forcible engagement of the locking and holding members acts to prevent an accidental releasing movement of the said cam means and that a releasing movement of said cam means permits said holding members to be moved with respect to one another and with respect to said locking members to effect a desired adjustment of the holding members, and a cover member coacting with said base member so as to provide an inseparable unitary structure substantially enclosing and maintaining the locking members, the spaced portions of the holding members and a portion of said cam means in their proper operative relationship. 5

12. A ski binding comprising. a base member, a pair of coacting toe engaging holding members disposed on said base member and arranged for relative movement with respect to one another and with respect to said base member and each including spaced portions presenting opposed serrated surfaces disposed in substantial alignment with respect to the like surfaces of the other member, a pair of coacting locking members disposed on said base member .between the opposed serrated surfaces on the holding members with one of said locking members arranged for relative movementwith respect to said base member and with respect. tothe other locking member, said locking members being constructed and arranged to present spaced and oppositely facing serrated locki surfaces extending adjacent and in opposed relation with respect to the opposed serrated lockingsurfaces on the holding members and cam engagingsurfaces spaced apart in opposed relation intermediate the said serrated locking surfaces, a movable cam means disposed on said base member between and in coacting relation with respect to said spaced cam surfaces-so; thata predetermined movement of said cam-means effects'a relative movement of said 'one looking member sufiicient to forcibly engage the opposed serrated surfaces on the locking and holding members, that the forcible engagement of the locking and holding members acts to prevent an accidental releasing movement of said cam means, and that a releasing movement of said cam means permits said holding members to be moved with respect to one another and with respect to said locking members to effect a desired adjustment of the holding members, a cover member coacting with and secured to said base member so as to provide an inseparable unitary structure enclosing and maintaining the spaced portions of the holding members, the locking members and a portion of said cam means in their proper operative relationship.

13. A ski binding comprising a base member having near its forward end a pair of laterally spaced upstanding projections, a pair of toe engaging holding members, each including a front laterally extending portion having an elongated aperture of greater width than said upstanding projections and having a locking surface facing rearward and a rear laterally extending portion having a locking surface facing forward, disposed on said base member with the laterally extending portions and locking surfaces on one member aligned with those of the other member and with the spaced projections on the base member entering the apertures in the front laterally extending portions of the holding members, a first locking member secured to the forward portion of said base member and presenting a locking surface extending adjacent and in opposed relation with respect to the aligned locking surfaces on the front laterally extending portions of the holding members and laterally spaced rearward extending portions, a second locking member disposed on the rear portion of said base member for relative movement with respect to said first locking member and with respect to said base member and presenting a locking surface extending adjacent and in opposed relation with respect to the aligned locking surfaces on the rear laterally extending portions of the holding members and a forward extending portion disposed between the spaced rearward extending portions on the said first locking member, a first,

means disposed on said base member between the spaced rearward extending portions on the first locking member and the forward extending portion on the second locking member and arranged for relative movement with respect to said base and locking members so that a predetermined movement of the said first means effects a rearward movement of said second locking member sufficient to forcibly engage the locking surface on the second locking member with the opposed locking surfaces on the rear portions of the holding members and to thereby move the holding members rearward and forcibly engage the aligned locking surfaces on the said front laterally extending portions with the opposed locking surface on the first locking member, that the forcible engagement of the opposed locking surfaces on the locking and holding members acts to prevent an accidental releasing movement of said first means and that a releasing movement of said first means permits a forward movement of the said second looking member and of the said holding members sufficient to disengage the opposed locking surfaces on the locking and holding members and a desired relative adjustment of the said holding means, and a cover means coacting with said base member so as to provide an inseparable unitary structure substantially enclosing and maintaining the laterally extending portions of the holding members, said locking members and a portion of said'first means in their proper operative relationship.

14. A ski binding comprising a base member, a pair of toe engaging holding members each including laterally extending portions presenting spaced and oppositely facing front and rear looking surfaces, a first locking member secured to the forward portion of said base member and presenting a locking surface extending adjacent and in opposed relation with respect to the front locking surfaces onthe holding members, a guide member secured to the rear portion of said base.

member and having forward extending, spaced guide portions and an intermediate cam engaging surface, a second locking member disposed on said base for relative movement with respect to said base member and having a locking surface extending adjacent and in opposed relation with respect to the rear locking surfaces on the holding members, spaced portions extending rearward between and in. sliding engagement with said spaced and forward extending guide portions, and an intermediate cam engaging surface opposing the cam engaging surface on said guide-member, a cam means disposed on said base member in coacting relation with respect to the opposed cam surfaces on said locking and guide members and arranged for relative movement so that a predetermined movement of said cam means effects a movement of said second locking member sufficient to forcibly engage the locking surface on the second locking member with the rear locking surfaces on the holding members and to thereby move the holding members and forcibly engage the front locking surfaces on the holding members with the opposed locking surface on the first locking member, that the forcible engagement of the opposed locking surfaces on the locking and holding members acts to prevent an accidental releasing movement of said cam means, and that a predetermined releasing movenfent of said cam means permits a rearward movement of said second locking member and of said holding members sufficient to disengage the opposed locking surfaces on the locking and holding members, and means coacting with said base member so as to provide an inseparable unitary structure substantially enclosing and maintaining said laterally extending portions of the holding members, said locking members and said cam means in their proper operative relationship.

ROBERT E. LEITH. 

